Mobile workstation having navigation camera

Abstract

A mobile computer workstation includes a base assembly including a plurality of wheels, an adjustable column assembly mounted to the base assembly and adapted to support a computer monitor, and a camera configured to communicate a video signal, the camera being mounted on the workstation such that a line of sight of the camera is directed rearward from the computer monitor. The workstation further includes a computing device stored within the workstation operatively coupled to the camera and the computer monitor. The computing device is configured to determine whether the workstation is moving based on a comparison of a sensed motion of the workstation and a predetermined motion threshold and, in response to the comparison, initiate the camera, receive the video signal from the camera, and display the video signal on the computer monitor.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A mobile computer workstation comprising:
 a base assembly including a plurality of wheels; 
 an adjustable column assembly mounted to the base assembly and adapted to support a computer monitor; 
 a camera configured to communicate a video signal, the camera being mounted on the workstation such that a line of sight of the camera is directed rearward from the computer monitor; 
 a computing device stored within the workstation operatively coupled to the camera and the computer monitor, the computing device configured to:
 determine whether the workstation is moving based on a comparison of a sensed motion of the workstation and a predetermined motion threshold; and 
 in response to the comparison:
 initiate the camera; 
 receive the video signal from the camera; and 
 display the video signal on the computer monitor. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  further comprising a motion sensor configured to sense a first sensed motion of the workstation. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2  wherein the motion sensor communicates the first sensed motion to the computing device. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3  wherein the computing device, in response to the first sensed motion being greater than the motion threshold, initiates the camera and displays the video signal on the computer monitor. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4  wherein the motion sensor communicates a second sensed motion of the workstation. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5  wherein the computing device, in response to the second sensed motion being less than the motion threshold, deactivates the camera and returns the workstation to a normal operating mode. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1  wherein the camera is mounted a camera mount extending from the workstation such that the camera mount places the camera in a position near an edge of the computer monitor. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7  wherein the camera is mounted on a swivel coupled to the camera mount and wherein the camera is rotatably movable between a first position and a second position. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8  wherein the camera is manually rotated by a user of the workstation between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 8  wherein the camera is automatically rotated between the first position and the second position in response to a sensed motion of the workstation. 
     
     
       11. A method for displaying a video image on a computer monitor of a mobile computer workstation comprising:
 comparing a sensed motion of the workstation and a predetermined motion threshold, 
 determining, in response to the comparison, whether the workstation is moving; 
 initiating, in response to the determination, a camera configured to communicate a video signal, the camera being mounted on the workstation such that a line of sight of the camera is directed rearward from the computer monitor; 
 receiving, in response to initiating the camera, the video signal; and 
 displaying the video signal on the computer monitor. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  further comprising sensing a first sensed motion of the workstation. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  further comprising receiving the first sensed motion. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  further comprising initiating the camera and displaying the video signal on the computer monitor in response to the first sensed motion being greater than the motion threshold. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  further comprising receiving a second sensed motion of the workstation. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  further comprising deactivating the camera and returning the workstation to a normal operating mode in response to the second sensed motion being less than the motion threshold. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 11  further comprising mounting the camera on a camera mount extending from the workstation such that the camera mount places the camera in a position near an edge of the computer monitor. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17  further comprising mounting the camera a swivel coupled to the camera mount and wherein the camera is rotatably movable between a first position and a second position. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  further comprising manually rotating, by a user of the workstation, the camera between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18  further comprising automatically rotating, the camera between the first position and the second position in response to a sensed motion of the workstation.